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World Food Championships

The World’s Largest Food Sport Competition • october 15 - 18 • Indiana State Fairgrounds

The World Food Championships returns to Indianapolis October 15–18 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds bringing together over 300 chef and culinary teams from around the world to compete live for the title of World Food Champion and a share of the largest prize pool in Food Sport.

Voted as a Top Ten "Best City Food Festival" by USA Today, this isn’t your average culinary event - this is Food Sport! You’ll enjoy up-close cooking battles in Kitchen Arena, plus food tastings, chef demonstrations, live music, interactive experiences, and fun for the whole family.

EVENT SCHEDULE & HOURS

Opening Rounds
October 15 & 16: 10AM-6PM
Championship Saturday - Ancillary Events
October 17: 10AM-7:30PM
Final Rounds & Awards Show
October 18: 8AM-10PM

Premium Experiences
October 15: 6:30PM-7:30PM - Burger Battle
October 16: 6:30PM-7:30PM - Dessert Smash
October 16: 7PM-9:30PM - IGNITE Music & BBQ Kickoff Party

General Admission

General Admission Details:

Thursday October 15 & Friday October 16: Only $15 Single Day Pass
Saturday October 17 & Sunday October 18: $25 Single Day/$40 Weekend Pass
Kids 8 & Under: Free

Experience Details:

Full access to all pavilions & Kitchen Arena; featuring live judged battles, championship stakes, and international competitors
Tickets include product samples, Live Fire & BBQ Experience with Famous Dave's, WFC Ag Zone, Indiana Grown Pavilion and MORE!
Live music, culinary demos, kids' zone, mascots and chef meet & greets

Hours of Operation:

Thursday October 15th: 10AM-6PM
- Free Entry before 12PM
Friday October 16th: 10AM-6PM
- Free Entry before 12PM
Saturday October 17th: 10AM-7:30PM
Sunday October 18th: 8AM-10PM

Please note unique times for additional premium experiences not included in general admission entry

Indy Pizza Fest Combo Ticket: Saturday ONLY: $45

Experience Details:

Full access to both Indianapolis Pizza Festival AND World Food Championships
Experience Pizza Festival tastings and entertainment, World Food Championships competition access
Live music, kids zone and family activities
Expanded food experiences throughout the Fairgrounds, giveaways and more!

Hours of Operation:

Session 1: Saturday October 17th: 12PM-3PM
Session 2: Saturday October 17th: 3PM-6PM

2026 World Food Championships - Thursday - General Admission

Oct 15, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Price includes all taxes and fees. No refunds.

General Admission $15.00

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2026 World Food Championships - Friday - General Admission

Oct 16, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Price includes all taxes and fees. No refunds.

General Admission $15.00

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2026 World Food Championships - Saturday - General Admission

Oct 17, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 7:30 PM

Price includes all taxes and fees. No refunds.

General Admiss. Ticket $30.00

General Admission $25.00

General Admission Ticket $28.00

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2026 World Food Championships - Sunday - General Admission

Oct 18, 2026 | 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Price includes all taxes and fees. No refunds.

General Admiss. Ticket $30.00

General Admission $25.00

General Admission Ticket $28.00

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2026 World Food Championships - Weekend - General Admission

Oct 17 - Oct 18, 2026

Price includes all taxes and fees. No refunds.

General Admiss. Ticket $55.00

General Admission $40.00

General Admission Ticket $50.00

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2026 World Food Championships & Indianapolis Pizza Festival GA Combo - Session #1: 12pm-3pm

Oct 17, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Price includes all taxes and fees. No refunds.

General Admission $45.00

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2026 World Food Championships & Indianapolis Pizza Festival GA Combo - Session #2: 3pm-6pm

Oct 17, 2026 | 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Price includes all taxes and fees. No refunds.

General Admission $45.00

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Parking

2026 World Food Championships - Single Day Parking

Oct 15 - Oct 18, 2026

Price includes all taxes and fees. No refunds.

Advance Parking $10.00

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Premium Experiences

NEW! Burger Battle

Experience Details: $55, Burger Battle VIP Access $80

Sample burger bites from 30+ award-winning chefs/competition teams and participate in the People's Choice Burger vote to name the "fan favorite". Ticket includes access to all tasting stations and five voting tokens during the special event period. In addition, this ticket includes General Admission access for full day of WFC activity on the day of this event.
Burger VIP Access: Get in thirty minutes early and receive two drink tickets redeemable for choice of beer, wine, or cocktail from pre-determined menu.

Hours of Operation:

Burger Battle ticket is redeemable for General Admission on Thursday, October 15 ^th and for standard entry during premium event from 6:30PM to 7:30PM
Burger Battle VIP Access is only redeemable on Thursday, October 15 ^th from 6PM to 7:30PM

Burger Battle

Oct 15, 2026 | 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Experience Ticket $55.00

Experience Tickets $65.00

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Burger Battle - VIP Access

Oct 15, 2026 | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Price includes all taxes and fees. No refunds.

VIP Access $80.00

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NEW! Dessert Smash

Experience Details: $55, Dessert VIP Access: $80

Sample bite-size dessert treats from 30+ chefs/competition teams and participate in the People's Choice Dessert vote to name the "fan favorite". Ticket includes access to all tasting stations and five voting tokens during the special event period. In addition, this ticket includes General Admission access for full day of WFC activity on the day of this event.
Dessert VIP Access: Get in thirty minutes early and receive two drink tickets redeemable for choice of beer, wine or cocktail from pre-determined menu.

Hours of Operation:

Dessert Smash ticket is redeemable for General Admission on Friday, October 16^th and for standard entry during premium event from 6:30PM to 7:30PM
Dessert Smash VIP Access is only redeemable on Friday, October 16^th from 6PM to 7:30PM

Dessert Smash

Oct 16, 2026 | 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Price includes all taxes and fees. No refunds.

Experience Ticket $55.00

Experience Tickets $65.00

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Dessert Smash - VIP Access

Oct 16, 2026 | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Price includes all taxes and fees. No refunds.

VIP Access $80.00

Buy Now

IGNITE! WFC MUSIC AND BBQ PARTY

Experience Details: $55

Champion prepared BBQ tastings from 20+ top pitmasters
Live Fire and grilling demonstrations
Beer and whiskey tents
Live music and tailgate games
Access to all tasting stations & five voting tokens during Ignite! to name a People's Choice Champion

Hours of Operation:

Only redeemable on Friday, October 16th from 6PM to 9PM

IGNITE! WFC Music and BBQ Party

Oct 16, 2026 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Price includes all taxes and fees. No refunds.

Experience Ticket $55.00

Experience Tickets $65.00

Buy Now

WFC VIP Experience

Experience Details: Only $65 Single Day (Saturday & Sunday Only)

Exclusive VIP lounge with private seating and televisions to keep tabs on your favorite local sports teams
Unique food and drink tasting demonstrations
Dedicated food and drink offerings included
Meet the Champions/Judges experiences
Private event tours and special event access in Kitchen Arena
In addition, this ticket includes one-day General Admission access for main event on the day of purchase
Limited tickets available

Hours of Operation:

Only redeemable on Saturday, October 17th (Single Day Only) from 12PM to 6PM or Sunday, October 18th (Single Day Only) from 12PM to 6PM

2026 World Food Championships - Saturday - VIP Experience

Oct 17, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Price includes all taxes and fees. No refunds.

VIP Experience $65.00

Buy Now

2026 World Food Championships - Sunday - VIP Experience

Oct 18, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Price includes all taxes and fees. No refunds.

VIP Experience $65.00

Buy Now

Indy Pizza Fest VIP Combo Ticket

Experience Details: $99 Saturday Only

Access to Indianapolis Pizza Festival VIP Experience AND World Food Championships
Guests will receive exclusive VIP lounge access, premium tastings, early entry perks, premium seating and hospitality areas, unique sponsor and chef activations
Access to all Pizza Festival and World Food Championships experiences and competitions
Only 200 VIP combo tickets will be sold

Hours of Operation:

Only redeemable on Saturday, October 17th from 12PM to 6PM

2026 World Food Championships & Indianapolis Pizza Festival VIP Combo

Oct 17, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Price includes all taxes and fees. No refunds.

General Admission $99.00

Buy Now

WFC Official Judging Certification Class

Experience Details:

Details coming soon!

Hours of Operation:

World Food Championships

The World’s Largest Food Sport Competition • october 15 - 18 • Indiana State Fairgrounds

General Admission

Parking

Premium Experiences

NEW! Burger Battle

NEW! Dessert Smash

IGNITE! WFC MUSIC AND BBQ PARTY

WFC VIP Experience

Indy Pizza Fest VIP Combo Ticket

WFC Official Judging Certification Class

EVENT PARKING INFORMATION

Indiana State Fairgrounds Event Center 1202 E. 38th St. Indianapolis, IN 46205

World Food Championships

The World’s Largest Food Sport Competition • october 15 - 18 • Indiana State Fairgrounds

General Admission

Parking

Premium Experiences

NEW! Burger Battle

NEW! Dessert Smash

IGNITE! WFC MUSIC AND BBQ PARTY

WFC VIP Experience

Indy Pizza Fest VIP Combo Ticket

WFC Official Judging Certification Class

EVENT PARKING INFORMATION

Indiana State Fairgrounds Event Center 1202 E. 38th St. Indianapolis, IN 46205

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